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Nice color. It looks like it was a custom build. The keel has the lollipop color, but the stock lollipop had rainbow colors on the wings, not the blue, purple black stripes like you see here.

You didn't provide enough detail to determine if it is a Maxi MEFM or just a regular one, but I suspect it is the latter. If it is 3 feet taller than you across the wingtips when assembled, it is likely a regular size MEFM, as they run a little over 8 feet wingtip to wingtip. The maxi runs a bit over 10 feet wingtip to wingtip.

1. Measure the wing tip to tip.2. Measure spine length.3. Look for signature. (I know it originally had one and I lightly looked for it but not on the back.)4.

Let me know what else you would like. I do know that this was an early one, because when I was working at Pro-Kites Unlimited it was a huge deal about getting one of the first... Jason (I forgot his last name), owner of Pro-Kites Unlimited had access to almost anything but didn't get one of these because they only had one to sell and I bought it, he didn't mind, he was really cool like that.

1. Measure the wing tip to tip.2. Measure spine length.3. Look for signature. (I know it originally had one and I lightly looked for it but not on the back.)4.

Let me know what else you would like. I do know that this was an early one, because when I was working at Pro-Kites Unlimited it was a huge deal about getting one of the first... Jason (I forgot his last name), owner of Pro-Kites Unlimited had access to almost anything but didn't get one of these because they only had one to sell and I bought it, he didn't mind, he was really cool like that.

Thanks for the input so far!

Regards,Chuck

Hi Chuck,

When we talked, I asked for the length of the leading edge from the nose to the tip. That is the best measurement IMHO. Wingtip to wingtip only works if the kite is correctly assembled. I don't care about the spine or signatures.

Differences between the MEFM - leading edge about 60", spine about 39". Maxi - leading edge about 80", spine about 49". I say about, because there could be slight differences based on generations and how one measures.

I dont think thats a Maxi. Just an early MEFM before the clamshell fittings.

I don't think so...

It's probably a Maxi because we can see on the video :

- The nose is larger as on the classic MEFM,- The spine seems to be in two parts and is ferruled.

Have a look on the trailing edge on the back of the sail. Ray Bordelon always signed his kites there.

P.S. : how is called this MEFM color ? purple rainbow? it's not a lollipop I think but a custom MEFM (Most Expensive Flying Machine ).

I have a couple of Ray's kites with no markings (and yes, I know to look on the back). I did find some faint ink on the back of one often flown MEFM using a magnifying glass that I thought lacked a marking, so apparently the pen he used sometimes wore off if the kite was well used. Another MEFM has none. I have a couple other MEFMs that are marked. I have two basically new, old stock EFMs with no signature, so it didn't wear off of them. My featherweights and M2s are marked. My Maxi-MEFM is not marked, but it was one Ray built for himself, so that may be the reason. So you won't always find a signature.

Good point on the ferruled spine. My Maxi is ferruled, but the ferrule is internal, not external and is above the spine. Mine is a later generation with wrapped rods and the clamshell spreader connectors. That might be an indicator, but I would still rather have the leading edge measurements.

Sorry, a minute here and there is tough when you are moving, 288 miles away from storage and I'm also traveling, so I'm in Florida right now! However, before I left I took photos with some paper measuring 'tape', you can check out the photos on my Flickr account. (See earlier post for the link.) Additionally, being that I am near Boulder Colorado, I believe Into The Wind has a shop there that I can get them to look at the MEFM. Upon my return I will get better measurements, sorry was in a hurry and my tool box is packed up... working with what I've had in hand. :-)

I couldn't find a signature but I do remember one... I also did clean the kite a couple of time because it got dirty a couple of times, so either it got washed off or came off over time.

Ok, so after a moving two houses, a conference, thanksgiving and a few other crazy things, I'm back. Was there anything else anyone wanted to know about this? Is there any of you interested in buying it? I am now living near Boulder and going to take it to Into The Wind to be fixed... any thought?

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